This 4-Ingredient Tonkatsu Sauce Tastes Great on Everything (2024)

What do Italy, Germany, and Japan have in common? They all serve a family favorite: crispy, breadcrumb-coated, fried pork cutlets. In Italy, it's called Milanese and is made with chicken, pork, or veal. Germans call it schnitzel. In Japan, it’s called katsu, which roughly translates to "cutlet." Unlike other cutlets coated with fine-textured breadcrumbs, katsu is prepared with Panko, a coarser textured crumb, resulting in maximum crispiness.

Aside from the panko coating, what also sets katsu apart from fried cutlets in other countries is the sauce. Tonkatsu refers to deep-fried pork cutlets and is where the popular sauce derives its name.

Tonkatsu sauce is super easy to make at home, especially if you can't find the popular Bull-Dog brand at your local supermarket. All you need are four basic pantry ingredients—ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and Dijon mustard. Another bonus: no cooking is required to make this recipe.

Tonkatsu Japanese Fried Pork

What Does Tonkatsu Sauce Taste Like?

Often referred to as Japanese-style barbecue sauce or katsu sauce. tonkatsu sauce is savory and sweet, with a slight tang. In this recipe, ketchup adds the sugary tartness, while soy sauce and Worcestershire lend some umami power.

Adapt Tonkatsu Sauce to Your Diet

Making tonkatsu sauce at home also means you can customize it to fit your dietary needs.

  • If you’re keto, then choose sugar-free ketchup.
  • For a gluten-free version, be sure to buy Worcestershire sauce that’s wheat-free and use tamari instead of the soy sauce (or find a gluten-free soy sauce).
  • Worcestershire sauce usually contains anchovies or fish sauce, but vegan versions are available, which means you can even make a vegan tonkatsu sauce.

How to Use Tonkatsu Sauce

While tonkatsu refers to pork cutlets, tonkatsu sauce is used on all kinds of fried fare—chicken, beef, and even tofu. It's also the perfect dipping sauce for anything you'd normally pair with ketchup or barbecue sauce.

Looking to boost your burger game? Tonkatsu sauce is the answer. Next time you're serving pulled pork, swap in this sauce for a Japanese twist on an American classic.Here are more ideas:

  • Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Barbecue
  • Kaki Fry (Japanese Fried Oysters)
  • Ebi Fry (Japanese Fried Shrimp)
  • Bison Burger
  • Breaded Fried Tofu Sticks
  • Okonomiyaki

"This recipe is so easy. I had all four ingredients in my fridge and it took minutes to mix up. It truly tastes just like the tonkatsu sauce you get at the store and the sweet-tart flavor goes so perfectly with fried tonkatsu cutlets." —Patty Lee

This 4-Ingredient Tonkatsu Sauce Tastes Great on Everything (2)

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup ketchup

  • 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce

  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    This 4-Ingredient Tonkatsu Sauce Tastes Great on Everything (3)

  2. In a medium bowl, whisk ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and mustard until smooth.

    This 4-Ingredient Tonkatsu Sauce Tastes Great on Everything (4)

  3. Use sauce immediately.

    This 4-Ingredient Tonkatsu Sauce Tastes Great on Everything (5)

Recipe Variations

We love the ease of this 4-ingredient tonkatsu sauce recipe, but you can put your own spin on it.

  • Butter adds a creamy texture and mellows the acidity a little. If you want to try this variation, add all the ingredients to a small pot and cook it over medium-low heat until the butter melts.
  • Want to punch up the flavor? Add mirin, a Japanese rice wine, and a few splashes of hot sauce for a spicy tonkatsu sauce.

How to Store

Tonkatsu sauce can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 month.

Teriyaki Sauce

  • Japanese Food
  • Japanese Cooking Basics
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
12Calories
0g Fat
3g Carbs
0g Protein

×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 16
Amount per serving
Calories12
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g0%
Saturated Fat 0g0%
Cholesterol 0mg0%
Sodium 201mg9%
Total Carbohydrate 3g1%
Dietary Fiber 0g0%
Total Sugars 2g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 1mg4%
Calcium 6mg0%
Iron 0mg2%
Potassium 62mg1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Recipe Tags:

  • sauce
  • tonkatsu sauce
  • japanese
  • family dinner

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This 4-Ingredient Tonkatsu Sauce Tastes Great on Everything (2024)

FAQs

What is tonkatsu sauce supposed to taste like? ›

What Does Tonkatsu Sauce Taste Like? Often referred to as Japanese-style barbecue sauce or katsu sauce. tonkatsu sauce is savory and sweet, with a slight tang. In this recipe, ketchup adds the sugary tartness, while soy sauce and Worcestershire lend some umami power.

What is the most popular tonkatsu sauce in Japan? ›

The Most Popular Tonkatsu Sauce Brand

The most popular tonkatsu sauce is the Bull-Dog Vegetable & Fruit Sauce (Tonkatsu Sauce).

What is the difference between katsu sauce and tonkatsu sauce? ›

Short for tonkatsu, katsu sauce is essentially the Japanese equivalent of Western barbecue sauce. It's sweet and tangy with an umami undertone that packs a flavorful punch. You'll usually find it served with pork tonkatsu, a popular dish of breaded, deep-fried pork cutlet with cabbage and rice.

What is tonkatsu sauce similar to? ›

Tonkatsu sauce is a Japanese version of Worcestershire sauce that is thicker, similar to brown sauce. Although the sauce is typically pretty complex, a nice simple way to make it at home is to simply mix Worcestershire sauce with ketchup along with some soy sauce.

What does tonkatsu sauce go well with? ›

Tonkatsu sauce basically has aromatic and tangy flavor with a viscous texture that goes perfectly well with bread-coated pork as well as cabbage (a standard garnish used for tonkastu dish) and white rice. It's said that the tonkatsu sauce originates from Worcestershire sauce.

Is tonkatsu sauce healthy? ›

A very healthy, nutrient-dense sauce! Our sauce contains an abundance of vegetables and fruits like tomatoes, onions, carrots, apples, lemon, and prunes. The natural sweetness and sourness come primarily from the flavor of these vegetables and fruits. This sauce is made up of about 30% vinegar.

What is the difference between tonkatsu and tonkotsu? ›

In truth, tonkatsu and tonkotsu are very different. The main similarity is that they both feature pork: Ton translates to pig or pork. But the dishes differ: Tonkatsu refers to crispy fried pork cutlets, while tonkotsu is a type of ramen made from bone broth.

What are the two types of tonkatsu? ›

It involves coating slices of pork with panko (bread crumbs), and then frying them in oil. The two main types are fillet and loin. Tonkatsu is also the basis of other dishes such as katsukarē and katsudon.

Does tonkatsu sauce have MSG? ›

Sauces at the supermarket:

Bulldog tonkatsu sauce – The regular version is MSG-free, but there's also an organic version.

Why is tonkatsu served with cabbage? ›

What's the shredded cabbage for in katsu dishes? - Quora. Shredded cabbage is essential for Japanese cutlet dishes. That's because cabbage contains an ingredient called cabazine (vitamin U), which helps digestion. Cabbage helps digestion when eating fatty pork cutlets.

Why is my katsu not crispy? ›

The only thing to be concerned about is temperature management. Too cold, and your bread crumbs will take too long to crisp, allowing the meat to overcook. Way too cold, and they'll slough off before they can even set. Too hot, and they'll burn before the meat is done.

Is Okonomi sauce same as tonkatsu? ›

Simply known as okonomiyaki sauce (お好み焼きソース), it's a condiment packed with umami flavor similar to Tonkatsu Sauce. While you can find ready-made okonomiyaki sauce at Japanese or Asian grocery stores, it is really easy to make at home with just four pantry ingredients. The homemade version is so convenient!

Why is it called tonkatsu? ›

The word tonkatsu is a combination of the Japanese word ton (豚) meaning “pig” and katsu (カツ), which is a shortened form of katsuretsu (カツレツ), the Japanese version of the English word cutlet.

What is the best meat for tonkatsu? ›

Tonkatsu (とんかつ, "pork cutlet") are thick slices of pork that are breaded and deep fried in a manner similar to German schnitzel. They are typically made from two cuts of pork: the lean and tender hire (ヒレ, tenderloin or filet) and the fattier rosu (ロース, loin).

What is the best partner for pork tonkatsu? ›

Cabbage – Tonkatsu is almost always served with a heaping pile of raw, finely shredded cabbage. My mom often says we need to eat twice as much vegetables as protein for a balanced meal. Fresh cabbage in between bites of crispy fried tonkatsu is refreshing while still providing that satisfying crunch!

How would you describe tonkatsu? ›

Tonkatsu (豚カツ, とんかつ or トンカツ, pronounced [toŋkatsɯ]; "pork cutlet") is a Japanese dish that consists of a breaded, deep-fried pork cutlet. It involves coating slices of pork with panko (bread crumbs), and then frying them in oil.

Is tonkatsu sauce like brown sauce? ›

It is a thick (viscosity over 2.0 pascal-second, per JAS Standard) Japanese Worcestershire-type sauce. It is similar to a brown sauce (British Isles), and can include a fish sauce, tomatoes, prunes, dates, apples, lemon juice, carrots, onions, and celery among its ingredients.

What is Katsu Curry supposed to taste like? ›

What does katsu curry taste like? The Katsu curry bears little resemblance to your usual Indian curry in terms of flavour. It's a sweeter, richer flavour thanks to the variety of spices used. The sweet flavours are enhanced by using soy sauce, bringing a delicious more-ish flavour to the dish.

Does tonkotsu taste good? ›

Creamy soul-warming broth full of lip-smacking umami flavor, chewy noodles, and toppings that can include everything from tender fatty pork belly to soft boiled eggs with their golden yolk, nutty-sweet sesame seeds, earthy scallions, and crunchy bean sprouts – Tonkotsu is a sensory delight.

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